Matthew 25:7

"But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’"

Key Reflection

In the parable of the ten virgins, the cry of "Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!" at midnight would have resonated deeply with first-century Jewish listeners, invoking the imagery and expectation surrounding the Messiah's imminent arrival. This sudden call mirrors the apocalyptic hope prevalent in their culture, where the anticipated day of judgment was a constant theme, and the faithful were always on alert for signs of its coming.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 7. Trimmed their lamps. Burning till midnight, the oil was exhausted. They gave a dim and obscure light. They trimmed them by removing the burnt parts of the linen or the torch, so that they would burn clear. It was proper also to dip them again in oil, or to pour oil upon them. This strikingly represents the conduct of most men at the approach of death. They then begin to make ready. they are alarmed, anxious, trembling, and asking the aid of others; and often when it is for ever too late. __________________________________________________________________

More from Matthew 25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion